Media, Politics & Conflict - Queen's University Belfast

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MODULE DESCRIPTION The module examines the nature of politics and conflict in media driven culture. It explores the relationship between media and democracy in times of war, and asks questions about bias, agenda setting, power and control in the media. It covers both local and global politics, and provides the historical context for significant technological developments (e.g. the internet) and contemporary examples of the growing power of the media (e.g. the CNN Effect). The module asks students to reflect on their own interactions with the media, think about media production from different and competing positions, and to compare different media formats. The module places a particular emphasis on the relationship between the media and conflict. It looks at how the media portray and represent conflict, and the relationship between the media, the military, the government and the audience. It examines some of the ways in which the media can significantly escalate conflict and impact upon its development, and pays particular attention to the role of new technologies in the mediation of conflict. To explore these issues, a series of historical and contemporary case studies will be used, including Vietnam, The Gulf War, Northern Ireland, Iraq, and the Arab Spring. These case studies highlight a number of critical themes which will be discussed during the module, such as the neutrality and independence of the media, Marxist and Pluralist approaches to the media, the media as a weapon of war and the ethics of war reporting. This module provides a basic understanding of the relationship between contemporary media and politics with a specific focus on the media’s role during times of war. Rather than seeing the media as something separate from the operation of politics, conflict and war, this module examines the connections between modern forms of structural power, the current condition of media saturation, and episodes of violent conflict. In other words, the module looks beyond the direct media coverage of politics and asks bigger questions about how the media shapes our social, cultural and political attitudes to conflict. MODULE AIMS: To give students a basic understanding of the relationships between contemporary politics, the mass media and historical and contemporary episodes of conflict To introduce students to the major debates in media studies To help students understand the relationship between the media, politics and conflict through clear and contemporary examples To give students an opportunity to develop their communication skills by discussing and debating these issues in tutorial groups To give students the opportunity to develop their analytical and literary skills by exploring these issues in written assignments and examinations LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this module, students should be able to: Explain the role of the mass media during times of war with reference to issues such as power, bias, neutrality, agenda setting and the public sphere Reproduce some of the basic themes, topics and arguments in media studies such as the politics of representation, mediation, Pluralist vs. Marxist approaches and new media technologies Draw upon the various case studies covered in the module to support or challenge a particular argument PAI1005 Media, Politics 7 Conflict (2012-13) 2
Communicate ideas to others in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in written work Pursue creative, critical and independent thinking through written work (especially the portfolio) and in group discussions SKILLS This module will assist in developing students’ skills in a number of important areas. These include: Intellectual skills Managing & Prioritizing Knowledge: identify relevant and subject-specific knowledge, sources and data (especially from contemporary media sources); manage such information in an independent manner Analytical Thinking: identify, understand, interpret and evaluate relevant subjectspecific arguments made by others from both academic and media spheres; construct independent arguments Critical & Independent Thinking: ability to think critically and construct one’s own position in relation to existing and ongoing debates in the field of media studies; ability to reflect on one’s own media consumption Professional and career development skills Communication Skills: ability to communicate clearly with others, both orally and in writing Teamwork: ability to work with others in a team, negotiate conflicts and recognize different ways of learning Diversity: ability to acknowledge and be sensitive to the range of cultural differences present in the learning environment Self-Reflexivity: ability to reflect on one’s own progress and identify and act upon one’s own development needs with respect to life-long learning and career development Time Management: ability to negotiate diverse and competing pressures; cope with stress; and achieve a work / life balance Technical and practical skills Information Technology: demonstrate the knowledge and ability to use contemporary and relevant ICT Organizational skills Efficient and effective work practice: demonstrate ability to work efficiently to deadlines, especially with respect to continual assessment and exams Clear organisation of information: show efficiency in the organisation of large amounts of complex information and the ability to identify, describe and analyse the key features of the information Organisation and communication: demonstrate ability to use evidence (especially from contemporary media sources) to develop logical and clear argument; show aptitude for the effective use of information in a direct and appropriate way Enterprising thinking: Demonstrate ability to think and argue in novel and enterprising ways, to display originality of thought and argument and the ability to clearly support arguments in innovative ways PAI1005 Media, Politics 7 Conflict (2012-13) 3
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Media, Politics & Conflict - Queen's University Belfast

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